FEELING CRAFTY:
So over the last year or so I've been making little things I find on Pinterest. Some turn out super cute and some just make me laugh.

Here are few that have turned out decent.

Scrabble Art:

Coaster:

A shot from a Pinterest party I held.

The coaster I made as a sample. The edges need some cleaning up, but you get the idea.

Name Plate:

I made this for my Vice Principal. I added a few gift cards too!

St.Patrick's day Gift baggies:
These I came up with on my own, but they were Pinterest inspired.

A tiny pot of gold !

These were made for my staff at school. Who doesn't love a treat before Spring Break?

(Well needless to say I need a little work in the area of updating.)
I've been busy with life and my husband. He's had some issues with hemiplegic migraines. They are the absolute worst! Enough about that.

It's time to enter my second trifle recipe. It's for one that is the most often requested from my friends. It's called Lemon Berry Trifle. It's light and delicious. Here's how it's done.

LEMON BERRY TRIFLE:

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

For berry part:
Raspberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Jar of Ollalieberry Fruit Spread
(Can be ordered from: http://avilavalleybarn.com/avbstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=95)

Strawberries (optional)

Orange Liqueur (optional)

For Bread part:

Container of premade Lemon Bread or Angel Food Cake 

Break into bite sized pieces.

For Creamy Part:

A 16 oz. container of Cool Whip

A jar of Lemon Curd ( Feel free to make you own, I buy the jar and it's delish!)

Assembly Method:

1. Tear up bread part into bite sized pieces

Layer in the bottom of trifle dish. (If using the orange liqueur drizzle a bit over the bread)

2. Mix in a bowl the entire container of Cool Whip and the jar of Lemon Curd

Spoon a layer over the bread part

2. Rinse berries and put into a bowl

Mix in about a TBSP or two of the Ollalieberry Spread. Stir that baby up.

Add a TBSP of Orange Liqueur if using)

Spoon a layer over the Cool Whip layer

4. Start all over again.

I usually end with the berry layer as it looks prettiest, but is by preference only. 

Do what moves you.

Rosca del Reyes and Bacon Wrapped Dates

Rosca Del Reyes and Bacon Wrapped Dates.

We're heading over to friends tonight for  Rosca Del Reyes

( http://blog.mexgrocer.com/rosca-de-reyes-mexican-tradition/ ) event. 

I also have a burning urge for Bason Wrapped Dates. Here's how I make them...

Bacon Wrapped Dates:

Here's what you'll need:

1 16 oz package of bacon

1 package of Medjool Dates

1 container of blue cheese (optional)

 Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

1. Grab main ingredients:

2. Cut the ends off the dates.

3. Squeeze the pits out of the dates, if not already pitted.

4. If using blue cheese, grab that.

5. Stuff the date with blue cheese.

 6. Cut the bacon in half once and then again in half lengthwise.
(Each piece should cover 4 dates, if done correctly)

7. Take a piece of the cut bacon and wrap it around the date.

7. Line them up on the foil covered tray. (Easier clean up!)

My husband is health conscious, therefore I am also making some Turkey Bacon ones for him. (I don't get it personally, but I do love them man and all!)

Looks a bit like bologna to me. Hmm, we'll see.

I'll add the finished product when I cook them at their house later. YUM!!!

Yesterday, I went to Morongo with my family (Mom, Dad, sister and husband) and it was the most fun ever! My family is perfect cross between wildly inappropriate and all heart. I love being with them. I laugh non-stop.

Here is snapshot of my mother modeling the needlepoint stitched coin purse my aunt made her. It brought her good luck. I love this face; she's my rock!

Well today is hardly a banner way to start the second day of the year, all stuffed up and a scratchy throat. Not too dreamy.

I shall instead picture myself in healthy new body ready to take on the day. For the record, I will be taking on the new day. My vacation is dwindling and I will make the most of every day.

My thoughts are being hijacked by work still. My brain can't turn it off. That is why this blog exists; to quiet the worry and to focus on good things.

While looking through old pictures as I was cleaning up my computer I found some old favorites. A funny old Winter Formal shot circa 1987ish? Get a load of that dress. I designed that mess. I even made the earrings myself by gluing together rhinestones in purple, turquoise and clear. Hideous!

I also found a good one of my little bitty tree this year. I found some amazing ornaments are World Market/Cost Plus. They are Mexican themed and have a tequila bottle, a pinata and a Day of the Dead mariachi.

They no longer have them, but do have some cute England themed ones.
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/england+glass+ornaments%2C+set+of+3.do?page=2&from=fn

It's as if they were custom made for me. Love these! You can also see my adorable Masqueraded fish from New Orleans before Katrina. That cute little store no longer exists.

These are the two things that are keeping the peace for me today. What was your favorite ornament this year?


http://www.worldmarket.com/product/england+glass+ornaments%2C+set+of+3.do?page=2&from=fn

RULE 1 OF LIFE: Purses bring joy

After a full month of non stop Internet shopping for Chistmas, I felt obigated to make a little purchase for myself! I have been on the hunt for a cute new bag. I think I finally found it!

The Kate Spade Grove Court Maise and the best part, it's on sale!!! I'm picturing a cute polka dot scarf in cream and black to make it even cuter!

http://www.katespade.com/grove-court-maise/PXRU2969-2,en_US,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU2969-2_color=272&dwvar_PXRU2969-2_size=UNS&cgid=ks-sale#start=29&cgid=ks-sale

Is it weird to stalk the delivery man until I get this little baby?

Today marks the start to the new year, 2014 to be exact. In my constant search for a hobby that will keep my mind calm and clear, I'm giving blogging a try. I am not silly enough to believe that what I type will be revolutionary or even that thought provoking, but from time to time I just might give you a chuckle or a burning urge to go cook or shop.


TRIFLES- PART 1: BANANAS FOSTER TRIFLE

I'm mildly obsessed with Trifles, right now. It is my goal to create an online cookbook of them for others to try. They are soooo easy and sooooo good!

Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated New Year Eve with friends and I made the yummiest thing, Bananas Foster Trifle. (I forgot my Trifle dish at my mother's place so I had to improvise with the bowl.)

The recipe is available at http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/03/bananas-foster-brown-sugar-walnut-cake-trifle-recipe.html. I decided to free style a little, as I always tend to do.

Here's what I did:

For bready part:
1 Angel Food Cake (pulled apart into bite sized pieces)

For filling:
1 box banana pudding
Milk as needed for pudding (I used coconut milk, as my husband SHOULDN'T have dairy)
4 cups of prepared vanilla pudding

For creamy layer:
2 containes of Cool Whip

For Bananas Foster part:
6 bananas (sliced into small rounds)
3/4 dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
1 stick of butter

Assemble like this:
1. Make a layer of Angel Food Cake on the bottom ( I drizzle a little rum here, but can be omitted)

2. The banana pudding mix did not set up so great because of the cocnut milk, but I found that if I added 4 cups of vanilla pudding and about 1-2 cups of banana pudding it was the perfect flavor. (Not too fake banana-y tasting)
Add the layer of pudding over the cake

3. Add a layer of Cool Whip

4. In a saute pan, add dark brown sugar and butter. Mix thoroughly. Then add the bananas and coat thoroughly, about 2 minutes. Take off the flame and add rum. Light it on fire (VERY CAREFULLY) to burn off alcohol. Blow out after about 30 seconds or so. Give it another stir. Let is cool slightly before adding it as the next layer or you'll melt the Cool Whip.

5. Start back at number one.

6. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge to set up. Enjoy!